Absolute top tier DAC for standard res Redbook CD

Oops. Accidentally hit enter.

Grannyring - my ears obviously agree with your logic as I consistently chose the ODSE over the other DAC's, and the ODSE is essentially an Offramp AND a DAC in one unit. Is it the Offramp alone that makes me like the ODSE more? Or the DAC unit? Or their synergy? I don't know.

In essence, I took your advice and chose to use the Offramp. Just inside the DAC I picked.

I totally understand that you think this exercise was jaded as I should have been using the OffRamp from the start with my Mini to give the other DAC's the best source possible. And your probably right. So the ODSE had an unfair advantage with it's built in OffRamp. To use your analoge, I was running the ODSE with rocket fuel while the Lampy and Aeris got regular octane fuel.

Basically your implying that the ODSE is essentially a $4k DAC with a built in $3k OffRamp. So the DAC isn't really in the same class as the other DAC's I'm comparing.

Sadly, I just don't have the extra $3+K to invest at this time to test that.

So:
ODSE - about $7'ish k retail
Aeris - $9800 + $3k for Offramp + $500 in cables = $13,300
Big 6 - $8k + $3k + $500 = $11,500

Let's see how the DS does next Wed.

Maybe I can convince Steve to send me a fully loaded OffRamp and SPDIF cable for a day or 2 to see if you are right...

But I feel that I have asked a lot of him already.

Matt what version firmware does your DS have?

No idea.
I've been hammered at work, again.
I'm going to play with that stuff early next week.

I will do the upgrade before the shootout. I promise.

Matt, agree 100% with everything you shared. Ya, to add the cost off the Offramp and Dynamo power supply to the Aeris or Big 6 is more money. These combos may well sound better to you, but it does come at a price.

I firmly believe a Lampi L4 with the Offramp and Dynamo sound better than a Big 6 alone with a Mini. You see what I am saying. Give whatever dac your listening to the best fuel you can with your Mini.

I am sure the OD dac is stellar on its own and with Steve's OR technology built in, it will be no surprise to me if you end up keeping it over all others!

I have tasted what Steve's units can do for digital and it is very special. Sure, other gear may do this or that Aphile thing better, but the music sounds so darn real and natural. You have no idea your listening to a digital front end. Very special. Hard to live without once you have had it in your room. All glare and digital artifacts are banished and the music just flows with less of an electronic nature to it.

Grannyring,
You're expressing much admiration for Steve's Empirical Audio products. Are there any regrets now that you've moved on to your Aesthetix Romulus or am I misreading your comments? Lampy with Off Ramp vs Romulus CD player.
Charles,